Lakes Closer To Establishing Code Board

March 15, 1988|By MARJORIE VALBRUN, Staff Writer

LAUDERDALE LAKES -- After several years of discussing the need for a code enforcement board, the city is moving closer to creating one.

``I think we have grown to the point where we are now actively striving toward a cleanup campaign,`` City Administrator Clay Dillman said. ``I think it`s time to at least consider having a code enforcement board.``

Dillman stressed, however, ``We`re just in the crux of planning, after fours years of discussions.``

If a board is created, it probably would be coordinated by the city`s building official, Dean Stamper.

Dillman said the new board will be a lower level group that will make recommendations to the City Council.

The board, he said, probably would be made up of six members, perhaps including a real estate agent, an engineer, an architect and a consumer advocate.

The council will advertise for board members, interview applicants and appoint the strongest candidates. The members are not paid, but are reimbursed for city-related expenses.

Stamper said he wrote to city officials advocating the plan and was supported by Fire Chief Terry Stewart.

A code enforcement board would give the city more power to enforce city, county, state and national building, development and maintenance laws, Stamper said.

``It will make it a lot easier for us to enforce the South Florida building codes, the fire codes and the national electrical code,`` he said. ``We didn`t have any teeth before. A code enforcement board will make people stand up and take notice.``

The system the city now uses to enforce codes is time-consuming, Stamper said.

First, a code violator is given a $10 citation, Stamper explained. If it is not paid, a lien can be placed on the violator`s property. If that does not prompt the violator to pay, the issue goes to court, where a judge can set a fine up to $200.

However, it can cost the city more than $200 to bring the issue to court.

If a board instead of a court resolves the issue, the city can save money, Dillman said.

Currently, the city has liens placed on 20 pieces of property. Those liens range from $150 to $200, City Clerk Audrey Tolle said.

Stamper said most of code enforcement is public relations. It is easier to just ask violators to repair whatever might be wrong, without threatening them with a citation.

``It only becomes a problem when the violation is continuous,`` he said.